Jean Mitchener Calloway, 95, of Kalamazoo, Mich. died Friday, Jan. 25, 2019.
He was born Dec. 18, 1923 in Indianola, the son of James Earl Calloway and Mittie Lou (Mitchener) Calloway. He attended Millsaps College in Jackson, where he received his Bachelor’s degree. He then attended the University of Pennsylvania where he received his Master’s degree in 1949 and his PhD in 1952. He taught at Carleton College in Northfield, Minn. from 1952 to1960. In 1958-59 he was invited for a year to the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton. In the 1950s and 60s he was involved in the School Mathematics Study Group creating text books for the “New Math” for elementary schools. In 1965 he had the opportunity to travel to Mombasa, Kenya to help with a similar project, along with his African counterparts, to create their own curriculum after the country became independent. He traveled to China in 1985 as part of one of the first “People to People” groups. He was the Olney Professor of Mathematics at Kalamazoo College from 1960-1991 and expanded the Math Department from one man to its present strength. After retiring from Kalamazoo College, he spent 1991-1992 in charge of volunteers for the first Gilmore Keyboard Festival. He was a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church since 1960, loved singing in the church choir and served on the vestry.
Jean was preceded in death by his loving wife of 56 years, Anne Marie Whitney Calloway, whom he married June 21, 1952; his brother, James Earl Calloway Jr.; and two cousins, Joyce Hull and Ruth Reynard.
He is survived by two daughters, Nancy Lou Calloway of Kalamazoo and Catherine Anne Calloway of Kalispell, Montana; and cousins, Judy (Chris) Job and Marsha (Frank) Tindall and their families.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 8, 2019 at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 247 E. Lovell St., Kalamazoo, Mich., with the Rev. Dr. Randall Warren officiating. Friends may meet the family at a reception in the Guild Room of the church after the service.
Interment will take place in Indianola City Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Kalamazoo College, 1200 Academy St, Kalamazoo, MI 49006, or to the Gilmore Keyboard Festival, 359 South Kalamazoo, Suite 101, Kalamazoo MI 49007.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007 (www.langelands.com).
